On Unification and the Nature of Self-Governance
My take on what district unification means in practice, why OUSD has never achieved it, and what it could look like going forward.
Resources
References and summaries of research, official things, etc.
OUSD Resolution No. 2526-0198: Prop 98 Settle-Up Obligation
Full text of OUSD Board Resolution No. 2526-0198, passed unanimously on March 11, 2026, calling on the state to release $5.6 billion in deferred Prop 98 funds.
A Brief History of the Political Forces Shaping OUSD
A history of the political, financial, and policy forces that have shaped OUSD over the past two decades, from the 2003 state takeover through the charter expansion era to our current moment.
Urging the Legislature to Release Prop 98 Settle-Up Funds
A letter submitted to the public record of the California Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance, urging release of $5.6 billion in deferred Prop 98 settle-up funds.
Prop 98: A Deep Dive into California School Funding
A plain-language overview of Prop 98, the constitutional mechanism that deterimines funding for public schools in California.
Oakland Charter Schools: Legal Constraints and Political Forces
An overview of the legal constraints and political forces shaping OUSD's relationship with Oakland's charter school sector.
OUSD School Closures: Fiscal Reality and Equity Concerns
A data-driven look at the case for school consolidation in OUSD, the timeline constraints involved, and what research shows about outcomes for displaced students.
OUSD Budget Deficit: Framework for Parent Engagement
A parent's guide to the OUSD budget crisis, organized into eight focus areas with key questions and curated public resources for meaningful engagement.
PSAC Statement to the Oakland Board of Education
The PSAC's consensus statement to the OUSD Board of Education on the December 2025 budget cut scenarios.
Peralta SPSA Explainer (2025-26)
A plain-language breakdown of Peralta Elementary's School Plan for Student Achievement for 2025-26.